Play Today: B.C. Handbook

The experiences of children's play have a profound impact on all areas of their growth and development. Memories of play can be vivid and detailed. These memories often have a treasured place in our hearts and minds. Educators and parents have a special opportunity to ask themselves, "What kind of memories of play do I hope for the children in my program/school/family to have?" "Play Today" is meant to serve as a guide for offering high quality, play-based learning experiences in the early years, primary grades, and even into the middle years of childhood. It is a foundational document that supports educators, parents, and families in British Columbia (B.C.) and provides examples of how a diverse range of play experiences can be supported and integrated into programs for young children. It illustrates how a continuum of play-based learning experiences may be used in early learning environments. The authors have developed and adapted examples of play experiences that illustrate this continuum. This handbook recommends a play-based approach in the early years, with examples of how play experiences may be used to guide and shape children's learning. It provides information and support for the integration of learning through play into various program settings and it is a guide written to support educators and others involved in guiding, supporting, or monitoring children's play. This handbook is a supporting document to the British Columbia Early Learning Framework. [For the 2019 "British Columbia Early Learning Framework," see ED605504.]